Connecting fitting with an elastic ring as a stop

ABSTRACT

A connecting fitting used for fixing longitudinal bodies to perforations or openings, especially in the wall of a housing, which include retaining projecting elements that engage with the edge of the perforation from the rear, and a stop in the form of a plastic ring which, in use, lies on a side of the opening opposite the edge of the opening that is engaged from the rear. The elastic ring is supported by a surface of the connecting fitting which expands from an area adjacent the opening from inside toward outside in an oblique manner, whereby the ring can be moved and displaced axially when the diameter is elastically enlarged, in order to account for different wall thicknesses. In order to compensate for even greater differences in wall thicknesses, the connecting fitting, adjacent to the region of the oblique surface, is divided into a separate part which include the oblique surface that is displaceable on the connecting fitting in an axial direction, whereby the axial distance of the oblique surface to the retaining projecting elements can be modified or selected, thereby allowing for at least approximate adaptation to various wall thicknesses.

BACKGROUND

[0001] The invention concerns a connecting fitting for fixinglongitudinal bodies such as tubing, corrugated tubing, pipes, cables orother such things to an opening, especially to a perforation or punchhole, for example, in a wall of a housing or some such surface, wherebythe connecting fitting features a fastening projection which protrudesaxially in the direction of insertion, which is divided, essentially,into holding tongues by slots that extend in the axial direction. On theoutside of these tongues, at least when in use, there are retainingprojecting elements that project radially outwardly, so that when thefastening projection is pushed into the opening, the holding tonguesachieve a holding position behind the edge of the opening (perforationor similar hole), in that they at least partially extend behind thisedge. A stop is also situated at a distance from the retainingprojecting elements. When in use, this stop lies on the edge of theopening opposite the edge of the opening which is engaged from the rear.The stop is formed of an elastic or elastic rubber ring which issupported by an oblique surface of the connecting fitting which expandsfrom the opening from the inside to the outside in an oblique manner,whereby the ring can be moved and displaced, because of its elasticreset ability, in the axial direction when the diameter is elasticallyenlarged.

[0002] This type of connecting fitting is already known from the GermanPatent DE 198 04 719 C1, and has been proven useful, because it can beused on openings, holes, or perforations of housing walls with differingwall thicknesses, whereby the elasticity of the ring forming the stop isutilized for adjusting to differing wall thicknesses, since this ring issupported on one of the surfaces of the connecting fitting expandingaway from the opening and can be more or less displaced, depending onthe thickness of the wall, by the elastic enlargement of its diameter.

[0003] However, the greatest possible wall thickness is limited to thedistance between the beginning of the oblique surface and the retainingprojecting elements that extend behind the opening in the wall.Moreover, an elastic ring with a relatively large cross section must beused in consideration of relatively thin wall thicknesses, which alsomakes a greater displacement ability necessary for use with relativelylarge wall thicknesses. In addition, an elastic ring with a larger crosssection also means higher costs.

SUMMARY

[0004] The object of the invention is therefore to provide a connectingfitting of the type defined in the introduction, whereby rings with asmaller cross section can be used as stops, therefore also enabling thefitting to be used with greater wall thicknesses.

[0005] As a solution to this seemingly contradictory task, a connectingfitting is provided that is divided into separate parts adjacent to theregion with the oblique surface and/or in the region of the largestdiameter of the oblique surface; the separate part with the obliquesurface on the connecting fitting can be displaced in the axialdirection, enabling the axial distance of the oblique surface from theretaining projecting elements to be modified or selected.

[0006] In this way, it is possible to allow for a wall thickness in theregion of a perforation of the housing to be engaged from behind in sucha way that an elastic ring with a relatively small cross section issufficient to achieve the desired fastening. This elastic ring, anO-ring for example, can be correspondingly inexpensive. In addition,above all, there is no large displacement force exerted on the elasticstop ring, even with large wall thicknesses, which can also be allowedfor by the displacement of the part with the oblique surface.

[0007] Additionally, even larger wall thicknesses can be engaged withoutproblems, due to the possibility of displacing the part with the obliquesurface opposite the connecting fitting in an axial direction.

[0008] It is especially convenient if the separate part with the obliquesurface can be displaced in the axial direction, and then alsoimmobilized by means of turning on a screw threading. In this way, aninfinitely variable adjustment to different wall thicknesses can beachieved. For fixing the position, the self stopping action of the screwthreading, especially in conjunction with the elastic ring or O-ring, issufficient in most cases.

[0009] The part with the oblique surface can be a ring which hasinternal screw threading over at least part of its axial length, andwhich fits onto an outer screw thread on the connecting fitting. Thismakes it possible to achieve a simple axial displacement by turning thisring, which then can also adjust the elastic ring correspondingly.

[0010] The part with the oblique surface can have a ring area locatedadjacent to the oblique surface in an axial direction, situated at afurther distance from the retaining projecting elements than from theoblique surface when in use. This ring area can be constructed as agripping ring for turning and/or provided with indentations for graspingit by hand or, if necessary, by a tool. It is therefore especiallyconducive to ease of use if the area with the oblique surface is dividedup, with some distance from the end of the oblique surface, i.e. fromthe area with the largest diameter opposite the connecting fitting, sothat a gripping ring is also formed at the same time, allowing the partwith the oblique surface or the ring to be comfortably grasped andturned for fastening together.

[0011] A modified version of the invention can be constructed in whichthe part with the oblique surface or the ring can be axially displacedin stages and can be immobilized by means of a detachable boltingdevice, e.g. with a cross pin that fits into cross perforations of thepart or ring and the connecting fitting. Since the elastic ring servingas a stop can adapt to differences in wall thickness at the perforationin the housing, spaced-apart or graduated displacements andimmobilizations of the separate part with the oblique surface cansuffice for adapting to large differences in wall thickness without anyproblem. The use of screw threads can thus be avoided.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment according to the invention, the crosspin can be constructed as a bolt, whereby the pin itself iscorrespondingly well secured in its locked position. The number of crossperforations depends, then, on the overall differences in wall thicknessin the area of a housing perforation that the device is supposed to beable to bridge.

[0013] For the sake of completeness, it should be mentioned that theconnecting fitting can be provided with another screw threading for acollet, so that a collet with clamps can be situated inside theconnecting fitting and operated in a self-evident manner, e.g. forimmobilizing a cable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in moredetail on the basis of the attached drawings.

[0015] In the drawings:

[0016]FIG. 1 is a partial side view of a longitudinal section of theconnecting fitting in accordance with the invention which is subdividedin the area with an oblique surface, in particular by a screw thread ofthe type allowing the part with the oblique surface to be displacedopposite the connecting fitting by turning, before assembly,

[0017]FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, shown after assembly, in whichthe connecting fitting is attached to a relatively thin wall and thepart with the oblique surface with the elastic ring acting as a stop istherefore displaced closer to the retaining projecting elements,

[0018]FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 in which a wall with greaterthickness is provided and, accordingly, the part with the obliquesurface is displaced in the axial direction further from the retainingprojecting elements,

[0019]FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 in which the part with theoblique surface or the ring can be displaced in steps and immobilized inany position by means of a cross pin, thus enabling its use with arelatively thin wall, and

[0020]FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 with an alternate embodiment ofthe invention in which the connecting fitting engages a relatively thickwall and the part with the oblique surface is secured by a cross pin andperforations in one of the positions further from the retainingprojecting elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] In the following descriptions of preferred embodiments of theinvention, parts corresponding to each other with regard to theirfunction, but modified in their design or version, are designated withthe same reference number.

[0022] A connecting fitting designated as a whole with 1 is used forfixing longitudinal bodies, in the described embodiment for fixing abody that is essentially smooth on the outside, such as a cable, to anopening 3, such as a perforation or a hole, in a wall 4 of a housing orsome such similar object. The longitudinal body or cable is not drawn infor the sake of a better view.

[0023] The connecting fitting 1 includes a fixing projecting element 5that extends in the axial direction of insertion, indicated by the arrowPF1 in FIG. 1, which is divided into holding tongues 7 by the slots 6that extend in the axial direction. On the outside of these holdingtongues, there are retaining projecting elements 8 projecting inradially outwardly. These retaining projecting elements go into theopening 3 when the fixing projecting element 5 is pushed in, therebypushing the holding tongue 7 behind the edge 9 into its holding positionin accordance with FIGS. 2 through 5, so that the retaining projectingelements 8 reach behind this edge 9. This gives them a somewhatsawtooth-like cross section, i.e., their height increases in theopposite direction of insertion by degrees up to the greatest radialdimension, and then decline relatively abruptly within a radial plane,so that, in use, this abrupt decline forms a working connection with theedge of the hole 9.

[0024] At a distance from the retaining projecting elements 8 and theirabrupt stopping surface is a stop which is described in more detailhereafter, and which, when in use, lies on the edge of the opening 10which lies opposite the edge 9 of the opening 3, which is gripped frombehind, as shown in FIGS. 2 through 5.

[0025] The previously mentioned stop is a rubber elastic ring 11,preferably an O-ring, and, according to FIGS. 2 through 5, is positionedimmediately on the edge of the opening 10 and supported on a surface 12that expands from the inside towards the outside obliquely as it extendsaway from the opening 3. The stop, as a whole, is therefore formed bythis oblique surface 12 and the elastic ring 11 positioned on it.

[0026] Compared to an initial position, as in FIG. 1, the ring 11,because of its position, can be displaced in the axial direction by theenlargement of its diameter in opposition to a reset force on theoblique surface 12, and can therefore be somewhat spread out, but mayalso be somewhat condensed at the same time.

[0027] Compared to FIGS. 2 and 4, just such a greater axial displacementof the ring 11 forming the abutment will result if the thickness of thewall 4 is greater than in the illustrations named, so that because ofthe elasticity of the ring 11 and the oblique surface 12, whose smallestdiameter can encroach a little into the ring 11, an automatic adaptationto differing thicknesses of the wall 4 is possible. If the wall 4 isthicker, however, then the connecting fitting must be stuck into theopening 3 with greater force, until the retaining projecting elements 8achieve a position behind the edge 9, which is then gripped from behind,and are fixed there. In this case, the ring 11 is then correspondinglydeformed to a greater degree and expands over the oblique surface 12whenever it is axially displaced relative to this oblique surface 12.

[0028] So that significantly greater differences in the thickness of thewall 4 are made possible, as illustrated by comparing FIG. 2 with FIG. 3on the one hand and by comparing FIG. 4 with FIG. 5 on the other hand,the connecting fitting 1 adjacent to the area with the oblique surface12 is divided up, and the separate part 2 with the oblique surface 12can be displaced on the connecting fitting 1 in the axial direction, asclearly illustrated by comparing FIGS. 2 and 3 in relation to 4 and 5.In this way, the axial distance of the oblique surface 12 or its originfrom the retaining projecting elements 8 can be altered and selected,i.e., a rough adjustment to the wall thickness in question can beperformed from the outset, so that the elastic stop ring 11 only needsto be subjected to a small deformation in order to achieve a preciseadaptation to the respective wall thickness. Because of this, a ring 11that is relatively smaller in diameter can suffice for this adaptation,and the deforming force to which it is subjected then also remains smallif a relatively large wall thickness is present at the opening 3. InFIGS. 2 and 3 on the one hand and in FIGS. 4 and 5 on the other hand, itcan be clearly seen that the ring 11 must bridge a comparativelyconsistent distance between the oblique surface 12 and the outside ofthe wall 4 in spite of differing wall thicknesses in each case becausethe part 2 with the oblique surface 12 had already been essentiallyadapted beforehand to the expected wall thickness. Nevertheless, theadvantage of an elastic stop ring 11 which can balance out inexactnessand differences in thickness is maintained.

[0029] In FIGS. 1 through 3, an embodiment of the invention is shown inwhich the part 2 with the oblique surface 12 can be displaced by a screwthread by turning it in the axial direction and can be secured by theself-securing property of this screw threading as well as by thefriction on the elastic ring 11. In this case, the part 2 with theoblique surface 12 is a ring, which has an inner screw threading 13 overa part of its axial extension, which fits onto an outer screw threading14 on the connecting fitting 1 in the region of the common plane ofseparation. In FIG. 1, this part 2 bolts together in the axial directionin its upper end position, i.e. the position the furthest away from theretaining projecting elements 8, while FIG. 2 illustrates a screwconnection in the opposite direction with a corresponding decrease inthe distance to the retaining projecting elements 8. In this position,as shown in FIG. 2, a part of the inner screw threading of thering-shaped part 2 has therefore vacated the outer screw threading 14 ofthe connecting fitting 1.

[0030] In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, thepart 2 with the oblique surface 12 can be displaced in graduated stepsand can be secured by a movable bolting device, that is to say, with atleast a cross pin 16 that fits into cross perforations 15 of the part 2and the connecting fitting 1. This cross pin can also, if necessary, beconstructed as a bolt so that it is, self secured. In FIGS. 4 and 5, twocross perforations 15 across from each other in the axial direction onthe connecting fitting 1 can be recognized. In this case, there are twoadjustment positions possible for differing thicknesses of the wall 4.Wall thicknesses lying in between these can be adjusted to by theelasticity and differing degree of deformation of the ring 11, as wellas a possible displacement on the oblique surface 12.

[0031] In both embodiments of the invention, the part 2 with the obliquesurface 12 has a ring region 17 which is located adjacent to the obliquesurface 12 in the axial direction, and, when in use, at a distancefurther from the retaining projecting elements 8 than from the obliquesurface 12, and which, in the version of the invention in FIGS. 2 and 3,is constructed as a gripping ring for turning, and which can be graspedby hand or, if needed, with a tool, in order to turn it. In the versionof the invention illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cross perforations 15for the cross pin 16 are located in this ring region 17.

[0032] Since in this ring region 17, a single cross perforation 15 issufficient and the adjacent cross perforations running in the axialdirection are located in the connecting fitting 1, a relatively morenarrow ring region 17 can suffice.

[0033] In both embodiments of the invention, a collet 18 belonging tothis device can be provided, which is located on the inside of theconnecting fitting 1, and which, with the help of a screw housing 19,can be placed in the axial direction, in order to press a gasket 20against a longitudinal body to be secured, and to securely fasten thisin the region of the connecting fitting.

[0034] The connecting fitting 1 for fixing longitudinal bodies toperforations or openings 3, especially the wall 4 of a housing,comprising retaining projecting elements 8 engaging with the edge 9 of aperforation 3 from the rear and a stop embodied in the form of anelastic ring 11 from the rear. When in use, this stop lies against theedge of the opening 10 opposite the edge 9 of the opening 3, which isgripped from the rear. The elastic ring 11 is supported by a surface 12of the connecting fitting 1 that expands obliquely from inside tooutside as it extends away from the opening 3, so that the elastic ringcan be displaced and moved in the axial direction by elastic enlargementof its diameter, in order to adapt to differing wall thicknesses. Sothat yet greater differences in wall thicknesses can be adapted to, theconnecting fitting 1 adjacent to the region with the oblique surface 12is divided up, and the separate part 2 with the oblique surface 12 canbe displaced in the axial direction on the connecting fitting 1, wherebythe axial distance of the oblique surface 12 from the retainingprojecting elements 8 can be altered or selected, and is therefore atleast roughly adaptable to differing wall thicknesses.

1. A connecting fitting (1) for fixing longitudinal bodies to an opening(3) in a wall (4) of a housing or surface, the connecting fitting (1)comprising a fastening projection (5) which protrudes axially in adirection of insertion (PF1), which is divided into holding tongues (7)by slots (6) that extend in the axial direction, retaining projectingelements (8) that project radially outwardly located on an outside ofthe holding tongues, so that in use upon the fastening projection (5)being pushed into the opening (3), the holding tongues (7) engage in aholding position behind an edge (9) of the opening (3) in which theretaining projecting elements at least partially reach behind the edge(9), a stop located on the fitting at a distance from the retainingprojecting elements (8) which, in use, lies on an edge of the opening(3) opposite the edge (9) of the opening (10), which is engaged from therear, the stop being formed of an elastic or elastic rubber ring (11),which is supported by an oblique surface (12) of the connecting fitting(1) which expands from a position adjacent the opening from inside tooutside in an oblique manner, and which can be moved and displaced dueto its elastic reset ability on the oblique surface (12) in the axialdirection so that a diameter thereof is elastically enlarged, thefitting being divided to form a separate part in a region with theoblique surface (12) and/or in the region of the greatest diameter ofthe oblique surface (12), the separate part (2) with the oblique surface(12) being displaceable on the connecting fitting (1) in the axialdirection so that an axial distance of the oblique surface (12) from theretaining projecting elements (8) can be altered or selected.
 2. Aconnecting fitting according to claim 1, wherein the separate part (2)with the oblique surface (12) can be displaced in the axial directionand is secureable via turning on a screw threading.
 3. A connectingfitting according to claim 1, wherein the separate part (2) with theoblique surface (12) is a ring which has an inner screw threading (13)over at least part of an axial extension thereof, and which fits onto anouter screw threading (14) on the connecting fitting (1).
 4. Aconnecting fitting according to claim 1, wherein the separate part (2)with the oblique surface (12) has a ring region (17) adjacent to theoblique surface (12) in the axial direction, which is located furtherfrom the retaining projecting elements (8) than from the oblique surface(12) when in use, and which is constructed as a gripping ring forturning and/or provided with depressions for gripping.
 5. A connectingfitting according to claim 1, wherein the separate part (2) with theoblique surface (12) is displaceable in graduated steps in the axialdirection and is securable via a movable bolting device having a crosspin (16) that fits into a cross perforation (15) in the separate part(2) and the connecting fitting (1).
 6. A connecting fitting according toclaim 5, wherein several cross perforations (15) are provided on theconnecting fitting in the axial direction and one cross perforation isprovided on the part (2).
 7. A connecting fitting according to claim 5,wherein the cross pin (16) is constructed as a bolt.
 8. A connectingfitting according to claim 1, wherein the part (2) with the obliquesurface (12) has a ring region (17) adjacent to the oblique surface (12)in the axial direction, which is situated further from the retainingprojecting elements (8) than from the oblique surface (12) when in use,and on which a cross perforation (15) for a cross pin (16) is located.